The ROI of Empathy in Leadership and Culture with Maria Ross

Written By Dr. Shari Simpson

Eps. #67 APRIL 23RD, 2024

Empathy isn't just a soft skill—it's a powerful tool for driving business success.

In this episode of the "HR Mixtape" podcast, host Shari Simpson interviews Maria Ross, a marketing and branding expert, about the importance of empathy in the business world. Maria shares insights from her book, "The Empathy Edge," emphasizing the value of compassion in achieving success. The discussion covers the impact of empathy on leadership, culture, and branding, highlighting the positive effects on engagement, performance, and innovation.

 

Maria Ross

Empathy Advocate, Speaker, Author, Strategist

Red Slice LLC

Guest(s): Maria Ross, Empathy Advocate, Speaker, Author, Strategist at Red Slice LLC

Maria Ross believes cash flow, creativity, and compassion are not mutually exclusive. She’s spent decades helping forward-thinking leaders and teams connect and engage through empathy to accelerate growth and impact. Maria has authored multiple books, including her most recent, The Empathy Edge and hosts The Empathy Edge podcast. Maria understands the power of empathy on a personal level: In 2008, shortly after launching her business, she suffered a heart-fatal ruptured brain aneurysm and inspired her memoir, Rebooting My Brain. Her next book, The Empathy Dilemma: How Successful Leaders Balance Performance, People, and Personal Boundaries, arrives in Fall 2024.

Maria has appeared in many prominent media outlets, including MSNBC, NPR, Forbes.com, ABC News, Entrepreneur and Thrive Global. She has spoken at companies and conferences ranging from TEDx to the 3% Conference. Her writing has appeared in Entrepreneur.com, Newsweek, and Huffington Post. Maria lives in Pacifica, California with her husband and young son and speaks worldwide.

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Dr. Shari Simpson

Shari Simpson, EdD, SHRM-SCP, leads thought leadership at a technology company and is the founder of HR Swagger, LLC and DTG Leadership. With more than 20 years of experience in human resources, she focuses on leadership, culture, and learning experiences that help people do their best work. Shari is also the host of the HR Mixtape podcast and a frequent speaker on modern HR, leadership, and workplace transformation. Her work blends practical HR strategy with a people-first approach that helps organizations build connection, clarity, and momentum.

Beyond her professional achievements, Shari is a proud mother of three sons—one a veteran and two currently serving in the US Navy—a dedicated dog mom and an avid reader. Her 25+-year marriage to a fire department Chief adds depth to her understanding of service and dedication.

https://askhrswagger.com
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